1993 Volkswagen Fox Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Volkswagen Fox (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1993 Volkswagen Fox. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 8 complaints (44% of the total), followed by seat belts (4) and visibility (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling8 44%
- Seat belts4 22%
- Electrical system3 17%
- Fuel system2 11%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While traveling a long distance, the vehicle stalled three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the mechanic replaced the wiring harness, the airflow sensor, and catalytic converter assembly. The previously lost 2-3 quarts of oil front oil seal failed, fuses kept failing at the fuel pump. The consumer requested reimbursement. The oil seals and water pump failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10065037, filed 2004-04, 90,000 milesSeat belts: “The driver's and passenger's side automatic seat belts lock into the unit and will not come out. This is the second time the driver's side has been replaced. Please describe in detail.”
NHTSA complaint #803955, filed 1996-10Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While driving and trying to turn on heater. Fluid started coming out of vents onto passengers of vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.”
NHTSA complaint #8002452, filed 2002-01Electrical system: “Traveling 45mph, started to smell gas. Heard an explosion. Stopped & got out of vehicle. Noticed smoke then flames. Fire dept. Called & put flames out. Everything under the hood was burned or melted.”
NHTSA complaint #825092, filed 1998-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 Volkswagen Fox version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V105000May 23, 1995Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: Volkswagen Fox 1987–1993
In the event of a cooling system component failure while the vehicle is driven, the coolant can overheat causing the cooling system pressure to rise to a level where a leak in the heat exchanger can occur.
- 92V058000Apr 14, 1992Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Volkswagen Fox 1990–1993, Jetta 1988–1992, Golf 1988–1992 +5 more
The fuel hose attached to the fuel distribution rail on the engine may shrink beyond the clamp force of the fuel hose clamps, allowing fuel to leak.
Recall details for the 1993 Volkswagen Fox → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019Equipment. The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10157383Jun 22, 2017Equipment. VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10128055Feb 1, 2017Equipment. This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10126785Oct 31, 2016Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Air bags. Airbag Issues.
- 10128105Jun 29, 2015Equipment. This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and…
- 10128104Jun 22, 2015Equipment. This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical…
- 10026848Aug 28, 2008Engine cooling, Body and structure. Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged…
Other model years of the Volkswagen Fox
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 18 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 9 | — | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 23 | 164,955 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 10 | — | 3 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Fox model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Volkswagen Fox have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1993 Volkswagen Fox as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Volkswagen Fox is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 8 complaints (44% of the total), followed by seat belts with 4.
Has the 1993 Volkswagen Fox been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Volkswagen Fox get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Volkswagen Fox (Fox, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Volkswagen Fox reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 90,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.